Here's mine. 1648 Duracraft. One of the last ones made before the Wards sold the company and started War Eagle. When I got it it was being used for a mountain of storage and had a 6ft tree growing in the back of it. Also started life as a side console.

handyandy wrote:Boatman that is pretty cool you set your motor up like that if you don't mind me asking how does it get water to cool it, and are you using a different prop?

Its a nosecone kit /w low water pickup. Water goes up through the nose cone(that is glued to a stock gearcase) then through the stainless steel lines to the water pump cavity. Then you block off the stock water intakes with epoxy and you are ready to run on the surface. You do need a good prop that will run good on the surface,plus a hydrolic transom so yo can lower motor for a better hole shot. The idea is barrowed from outboard racing technology. Since I an a X racer I know how to do it. I can post more pic's if you are interested. They don't make cones for small motors so you have to take one for a v-4 and modify it.Here is a link to where you buy the kit. http://bobsmachineshop.com/Products/cones.cfm

There are still things worth dying for and 1 of those things is freedom.

handyandy wrote:That's really cool And if u could post more pics that would be great

Ok here is a gearcase that came into my shop for refinishing. I drew a line to show the cone piece you epoxy on to your stock gearcase. You can see the hose fittings, and the intakes on the bottom of the cone.

There are still things worth dying for and 1 of those things is freedom.

handyandy wrote:That's really cool And if u could post more pics that would be great

Ok here is a gearcase that came into my shop for refinishing. I drew a line to show the cone piece you epoxy on to your stock gearcase. You can see the hose fittings, and the intakes on the bottom of the cone.

Gentlemen, if you don't mind taking this to a regular post I would appreciate it. We don't want this thread cluttered with conversation. Thank you.

Here's mine.......nothing fancy by no means but she gets the job done. 1997 Lowe 1772 Bass Striker that I converted to a duck slayer all for less than $3K. Pics are pretty old has gone through a blind brushing makeover since these were taken.

Only a few mini-projects left to do as the season opens this weekend. Over the past few years I've made the boat a year around vessel. In the summer I crab, troll for salmon and lake fish for Bass & Trout. Of course during the season I target ducks & geese, but will occasionally do a double/triple for Ducks, winter Kings and crab.

I've done quite a bit over the past two years to this boat most I would classify (because it suits me) as "usability improvements" and a few others because I'm nuts. If Lowe wants to hire me I have plenty of other ideas for geeky guys who enjoys finding cool ways to tweak things and make them better. My goal for most of this stuff was to maximize space while adding storage and features to make it a year around boat.